01-20 · 013

Arc 3

Chapter 13: Proof

The next afternoon. Right on time, the doorbell of my tower apartment room rang.

Ding-dong.

When I opened the door, there stood Seira Jinguji, not in the heavy armor I often saw on TV, but in casual clothes. Her translucent platinum blonde hair and jewel-clear blue eyes. She wore a simple blouse and skirt, which instead accentuated her overwhelming beauty and excellent figure.

She was holding a paper bag with a famous cake shop's logo, and she smiled softly.

"Heya, Toru-san! I came to visit!"

"Thank you for coming. Please, come in."

The moment I led her into the living room, Seira's eyes locked onto the 'Aegis Shield' placed on the blue sheet.

"Wow…! This really looks just like the photos! The magical density is incredible… and there's no trace of a curse at all. It's been perfectly purified!"

As if she couldn't wait to even put the cake box on the table, Seira rushed to the shield and stroked its surface. She had the eyes of a child who'd found a new toy.

"Toru-san, this is amazing! A magic reflection rate of 100%—that's a Mythic Level artifact! Hey, how much? 500 million? 1 billion? I'll pay whatever you ask!"

Seira leaned forward eagerly. I took a small breath and spoke the lines I'd prepared.

"I don't want money. I'll give you this shield for free."

“…Huh?”

Seira tilted her head in confusion. For an S-Rank explorer, who spared no expense for powerful equipment, being offered something for free would naturally raise suspicions.

"For free… what do you mean? Are you starting a charity, Toru-san?"

"No. In exchange, I'd like you to grant me one favor."

I started up my tablet and showed Seira the data for the 'Exclusive Management Agreement' that Rin had sent yesterday. Then, I explained the hidden trap revealed by my 'True Appraisal'—the mechanism that would divert 70% of my profits to Rin's dummy company.

“…I see.”

After hearing the whole story, Seira let out a sigh of exasperation.

"Toru-san, you're really an idiot. You were almost kept as a money slave for life."

"Ugh… I have no excuse."

"But being able to notice the trap with your Appraisal skill was a good play. So? What do you want me to do?"

"I want you to be my backer."

I looked at Seira with a serious expression.

"I'll be negotiating the final contract with her soon. I want you to be there and introduce yourself as my personal bodyguard. If an S-Rank like you exerts pressure, she won't be able to pull any tricks. The Aegis Shield is the payment for that."

It was a perfect proposal. I could keep Rin in check, and Seira would get a Mythic Level shield for free. A win-win deal.

But.

Seira folded her arms and frowned slightly, looking a bit displeased.

"Hmm… I think I'll pass."

"Eh!?"

"I'd be really happy to get the Aegis Shield. But, you know, I'm not short on money at all. I'd just pay the 300 or 500 million yen and buy it."

Seira took her eyes off the shield and looked straight at me.

"I don't like being controlled by anyone. Getting an item for free and then being bound as someone's bodyguard in exchange… that feels like I'm being used by Toru-san. I don't like it."

"Th-That's…"

"Besides, the problem with that Rin girl is a result of your own carelessness, right? Explorers' rule: you reap what you sow."

She cut me off sharply. I felt the blood drain from my face. My only and greatest bargaining chip, "giving the Aegis Shield for free," had completely failed against an S-Rank who couldn't be swayed by money.

(It's over. At this rate, with Rin…)

I was completely stuck. As I fell silent in despair, Seira suddenly burst out laughing.

"Ahaha, sorry, sorry! Was I being too mean?"

"Huh?"

I looked up to see Seira smiling mischievously.

"I was just testing you a little. With the Excalibur thing too, I know you can get amazing gear, so I'm not planning to abandon you completely."

"W-What was that… that's bad for my heart."

"But, there's a condition."

Seira's eyes sharpened.

"I believe your eyes are real. But if you want me to be your backer, I want you to prove that ability right in front of me."

"Prove it? How?"

"Tomorrow, we'll go to the dungeon. To the deep areas where I often go."

"Huh!?"

I let out a ridiculous shout.

"D-De deep areas… I'm F-Rank! I have no combat ability! If I go there, I'll be monster food in seconds!"

"Don't worry, I'll protect you. Besides, it'll be perfect for testing out the Aegis Shield too, right?"

Seira gave me a thumbs up and a wink.

"In the deep areas, there's a 'garbage dump' where gear left behind by explorers who were wiped out accumulates. There, find me another item that meets my standards."

"…"

"If you can do that, I'll fully trust your abilities and gladly become your backer. How about it?"

A trial, so to speak. For her, seeing actual ability was far more trustworthy than a verbal contract.

Even with Seira protecting me, there was danger to my life. But if I backed down now, my only options were to fall into Rin's trap or live in constant fear.

"Alright. I'll come with you."

When I nodded with resolve, Seira's face lit up with joy.

"Alright, I've got your word! Let's get ready, then! I'm getting excited about treasure hunting in the deep areas!"

And so, alongside Japan's strongest Sword Saint, I was about to set foot into the life-threatening dungeon.